Rep. James A. Leach (R-Iowa)

October –– Expressing deep concern over the rising level of political violence in Sri Lanka, Congressman James A. Leach (R-Iowa), called for a resumption of the peace talks between the government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Leach is the chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific of the House International Relations Committee.

Leach said the prospects for a resumption of the peace process at present appear bleak because of the conditions set by the rebels, who are demanding sweeping powers over law enforcement, tax collection, military affairs, administration of foreign aid and other matters which are currently in the domain of the central government.

In his ‘Extension of Remarks’ on the situation in Sri Lanka before the House of Representatives, Leach asserted, the rebels are assassinating members of their community who dare advocate democratic change, independently contest elections and speak out against the rebels. Although the new coalition government includes a hard-line party that is at best deeply skeptical of continued negotiations with the insurgents, the president has nevertheless remained committed to the peace process and invited Norway to approach the LTTE and to resume mediation. Prospects for a resumption of dialogue between the government and the LTTE at this time, however, appear bleak.

Leach called upon the international community to consider additional steps to put pressure on the LTTE to abandon its tactics of terror and prove that its days of violence are over.

“It is remarkable, for example, that only four countries –– the U.S., U.K., Australia, and India –– have declared the LTTE to be sponsors of terrorism, frozen their assets and prohibited financial transactions with the Tigers.

“It is well reported that alongside a finely tuned propaganda campaign, the LTTE also run a sophisticated international fund-raising campaign.

“The majority of financial support comes from the Tamil Diaspora in countries where there is no ban on transactions with the Tigers, including Switzerland, Canada and the Scandinavian countries. It is my understanding that the LTTE’s overseas financing includes investments in real estate, restaurants, stocks, and money market funds. Even film, food festivals, and cultural events may contribute to insurgent income.

“The U.S. Department of State also reports that expatriate Tamil communities in Europe have been tied to narcotics smuggling, another potential source of funding. In this context, surely the stark record of LTTE terrorism demands a firmer response from our friends and allies abroad.

As the Department of State has made clear, the United States stands ready to implement commitments to aid in Sri Lanka’s reconstruction, but this will only be possible through a continuation of the peace process, the Congressman added.